On the other hand, maternity leave, which is very important for breastfeeding support, is well - established in Germany: 14 weeks fully paid maternity leave (6 weeks before the birth, 8 weeks after the birth or 12 weeks for preterm or multiple birth), 12 months parental leave with 65 % of the mother's salary (partly paid for by health insurance companies and partly by employers) and
unpaid parental leave until the child is 3 years old.
More flexible working arrangements will be introduced, with
unpaid parental leave extended
until the child is 16 and different ways to urge employers to act more reasonably on non-medical emergency
leave being considered.